Slow recovery from latest knock leaves McGovern's future in hands of concussion panel
'Our club doctors, in conjunction with the AFL chief medical officer, have recommended referral to the AFL concussion panel to help inform a safe way forward in the interest of his current and future welfare.
'We are awaiting a date for the panel to convene and assess Jeremy, and there are a range of outcomes that could result from their report. The club requests Jeremy's privacy is respected at this time while this confidential process unfolds.'
McGovern, among the league's best defenders in his prime, has been restricted to 34 games since the start of the 2023 season.
Last October, former West Coast teammate Luke Edwards stepped away from the game to focus on his recovery from multiple concussions. Then aged 22, Edwards suffered three concussions, his last being in the round-20 western derby in what was his 12th appearance of the season.
He joined Collingwood duo Nathan Murphy and Josh Carmichael, Melbourne premiership player Angus Brayshaw and Western Bulldogs draftee Aiden O'Driscoll as players who had careers cut short in 2024 because of concussion. Former Eagles Brad Sheppard and Daniel Venables both retired in 2021 because of concussion. – AAP
Greenberg doubles down on cricket opposition to Hobart stadium roof
Daniel Brettig
New Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has declared roof designs for the proposed Macquarie Point stadium are 'unacceptable' for any form of cricket to be played at the venue in daylight hours, a fresh hurdle for the AFL's 19th team.
Greenberg and Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker co-signed a submission in response to an independent assessment of plans for the stadium in Hobart, which the AFL has insisted must have a roof as a condition of entering a Tasmanian team into the league.
The May 8 submission, seen by this masthead, argues forcefully that it would not be possible to play any form of cricket in the stadium during daylight hours in summer due to the 'grid-like' roof pattern and the shadows they cast.
CA and Cricket Tasmania have also rejected proposed remedies from the Macquarie Point Development Corporation as 'unworkable'.
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Baker and former CA chief Nick Hockley presented a similar argument to the Tasmanian government in March, but Greenberg's involvement has strengthened cricket's opposition.
'The proposed roof structure casts a grid-like pattern of shadows that moves across the field of play, particularly on the cricket pitch block, throughout the day, presenting an unacceptable playing, operational and broadcast environment for all forms of cricket,' the letter states.
'While MPDC and its team have explored mitigation options for the shadows, we are of the view that they are either unworkable, in that they do not eliminate the shadows, or they are temporary in nature introducing other significant potential problems relating to playing conditions, venue operations and broadcast quality.'
Greenberg and Baker go on to declare that the Tasmanian government's economic modelling for the stadium's benefits are currently based on a level of cricket content that could not be achieved under the current roof design.
'The extent to which cricket can be played in the stadium and how many matches may be played each year forms part of the cost-benefit analysis considered in the draft report,' the letter states.
'Until such time as stadium design discussions progress to a point where our current concerns can be overcome, CA and CT are unable to confirm that the content assumptions contemplated by that analysis are reliable nor that they can be achieved.
'Both CA and CT are committed to a pathway towards achieving International Cricket Council accreditation for the Macquarie Point Stadium, and in our view a design option that does not have a roof, or that has an operable roof is the best way to achieve that and secure cricket as a significant user of the stadium that can provide numerous benefits to the project and the state.'
Why Smith didn't train with Cats
Michael Gleeson
Bailey Smith did not join Geelong's main training session on Tuesday ahead of the much-anticipated clash with his former club on Thursday night.
But the high-value recruit, who has had an outstanding start to his career at the Cats, is in no danger of missing the game against the Western Bulldogs under lights at Kardinia Park.
Smith alarmed track watchers by failing to join the training session ahead of what is not only a spicy first encounter with his old club but a game that is the match of the round between two top finals contenders.
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Smith, however, trained indoors doing touch work, mindful of the fact the Cats are on a quick turnaround with just five days between their win over Port Adelaide on Saturday and Thursday night's game. While Smith is an elite athlete with the blend of high-end speed and endurance, he did miss the entirety of last season because of a knee reconstruction, so is being carefully managed on short breaks.
The Cats will lose Paddy Dangerfield and Jack Bowes for the clash after they both suffered hamstring strains in last week's win. Defender Tom Stewart is set to be available to return from his knee injury. While Bowes' time on the sidelines is yet to be determined, an injury update released by the club on Tuesday said skipper Dangerfield was only expecting a short lay-off.
'Following scans on Monday, Pat is expected to miss the next one to two weeks with a low-grade right hamstring strain,' Geelong's football manager Andrew Mackie said.
'I would consider it': Little could return to Essendon board
Danny Russell, Jon Pierik
Essendon coach Brad Scott is unfazed by reports in the past 24 hours linking former chairman Paul Little and James Hird to a possible return to the club.
Seven's Agenda Setters reported on Monday night that Little, who led the club from 2013-15, was open to a return to the board currently led by David Barham and that he could return with Hird in tow.
'You never say never to anything,' Little told Seven. 'There may come a time when there is a need for a restructure.
'If I felt I could add value to the club, and if they felt I could help, then I would consider it.'
But on Nine, owner of this masthead, Hird said in a statement: 'It's news to me and I haven't spoken to Paul Little for months. I nearly fell off the couch when I heard it.'
Speaking at the Hangar on Tuesday morning just three days after his side's abysmal 91-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, Scott said he had learnt not to become distracted by outside noise.
'This might surprise you, but I haven't had any issues with the last 24 hours whatsoever,' he said.
He said he did not react to the reports nor did he seek out Barham or CEO Craig Vozzo for reassurance.
'The risk in any of that is that it distracts me from the task at hand,' Scott said of the Bombers' Dreamtime at the 'G clash at the MCG on Friday night.
'I've been really overwhelmed with the level of support and follow-through [from the club].
'And really, the things that I've made clear that were non-negotiables when I came to the club, around things like stability and support for all levels of the football club, our board and executive have delivered on those things.
'I just need to focus on my job and let all the other stuff go on in the background and not let it distract me or anyone else who's in a position of coaching, or the executive at the club.'
Scott will come face to face with media commentator Hird as a guest on Nine's Footy Classified on Tuesday night.
When asked what he expected to say to the Bomber great and former coach of the club, Scott laughed.
'Channel Nine will be rapt. You will have to tune in,' he said.
Pushed further, Scott said he had had a long-term association with the 1996 Brownlow medallist.
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'We've known each other for over 30 years,' Scott said. 'I mean, we don't spend a lot of time together, but he's now a member of the media, and I try to be as respectful to all members of the media as a collective.'
Asked about Hird, he said: 'I consider him a friend both inside, but more importantly, outside of football'.
Eyebrows were raised when the Bombers extended Scott's contract early this season, a move the club said was all about stability as the Dons turn to the draft to strengthen their list after years of stagnation. The latest report will do little to foster stability, though.
Club great Matthew Lloyd said on Footy Classified: 'It's not good for the club. James obviously denied that, and you believe James in that situation, and this is what happens when you lose by 91 points, unfortunately things like this happen, whether it's from a coterie member or someone around the club.
'It's the last thing those within the football club need because they just want to get on with being the club they hope to be.'
Beveridge contract extension 'may not be too far away'
Jon Pierik
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has suggested a contract extension is not far away.
The 2016 premiership coach is off contract this year, and is keen to remain at the Whitten Oval.
The Bulldogs and Beveridge have delayed discussing details in depth, preferring to concentrate on the season at hand. The Dogs are fifth on the ladder and are a genuine premiership threat despite having dealt with injuries to key personnel.
Beveridge said fulfilling the recommendations of an off-season review by Peter Jackson had been important, and this had now unlocked the possibility of a contract extension.
'I know we've both been talking, the club and I, in similar terms around stability and then sustainability ... the opportunity of success comes along,' Beveridge told Fox Footy.
'I think we're stable, but again, we're stable this week. Not that you need a hell of a lot of luck, but you've got to ride your fortunes. I think we're sort of morphing into this partnership again where we're looking at sustainability and thinking, 'Out of the Peter Jackson review, how healthy are we off the field as far as our operational resources go, and the club's vision of what's ahead?'
'I think we're reasonably content we're on the right path, so as far as formalising something goes, it may not be too far away.'
The Bulldogs and Beveridge are expected to open serious discussions – and potentially formalise a contract taking the coach into his 12th season and beyond – during the mid-season bye.
'Possibly, but we haven't really talked any terms and conditions,' Beveridge said.
The Bulldogs have been without prime movers Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Jones, Adam Treloar, Cody Weightman and Sam Darcy at various stages of the season. Darcy, who had been enjoying a breakout season before he hurt his knee in round six, is still on the sidelines, but could return next month.
There were initial fears the emerging forward would miss the entire season. However, he ran on Monday, and told Beveridge he was tracking well.
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'It's such a unique situation – to bruise and dint the bone with a hyperextension. He had some lateral ligament damage, and then a bit of medial ligament damage as well, so that was probably the sorest part of his knee,' Beveridge revealed.
'Initially, the contemplation with regards to surgery meant it was a longer timeline, but he hasn't had surgery and he ran today. I spoke to him as he was walking around the sidelines afterwards, and said that he's feeling good ... he's lost some conditioning [and] was in a brace for just over a week.
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ABC News
6 minutes ago
- ABC News
Izak Rankine 'not the victim', Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks says
The Adelaide Crows men's coach says Izak Rankine "was not the victim" after using a homophobic slur during last weekend's match, as LGBTQIA+ advocates urge the AFL to do more to stamp out homophobia in the sport. The AFL's integrity unit on Thursday found Crows star Izak Rankine had used a "highly offensive homophobic slur against a Collingwood opponent — language that demeans and denigrates people regardless of their sexuality" during last weekend's match. Rankine has been handed a four-match ban, which means he could miss the grand final if the Crows make it, and was ordered to undertake further Pride In Sport training. The AFL said on Thursday the decision was made after "an investigation and submissions from Adelaide and Rankine including compelling medical submissions". At a press conference on Friday, coach Matthew Nicks said Rankine understood the seriousness of what he did and the ban shows the club still has work to do. "[Rankine's] acknowledged where he went wrong and he's worked his way through that in the right manner," Nicks said. "He's not the victim in this and by no means do we want that to be looked at that way and he knows that. "It's moments like this where you look at your culture and what it is you're building and you know that you've still got work to do, that we aim for perfection, but we understand it's pretty tough to get there. "We know we have to be better in that space and we are educated around that — staff, players, everyone within the football club — is educated around why, what it is we're trying to change in society. "We didn't get it right on this occasion. We'll continue to educate." LGBTQIA+ supporter group for the Crows, Rainbow Crows, said in a statement it was "deeply concerned and disappointed" at the slur being used and called for the Pride in Sport educational program to be made mandatory for all AFL clubs. "The AFL has been very clear on their position on using homophobic language, yet it is still happening," the group said. "This demonstrates that there is still work to be done in this area. "When slurs like this are used, it gives power to others to mimic and assume that if the celebrity or sports star they idolise and look up to can use them, then it's OK for them to use them too." In a statement yesterday, the AFL said all AFL and AFLW players and officials receive yearly anti-vilification education and this year introduced a new dedicated LGBTQIA+ inclusion education module. The Rainbow Crows group said it had noticed more homophobic comments on its social media posts about two AFLW players. "These past four days have seen a large increase in homophobic remarks on our social media posts made last weekend for the AFLW," it said. SA Greens leader and gay rights advocate, Robert Simms, told ABC News Breakfast the "saga that has dragged on for a week" has divided South Australians. "This should really be a unifying moment for our state, particularly if the Crows get into the finals … but I think our community is coming out of this more divided and in particular a lot of LGBTI South Australians are going to feel like they can't really participate in those celebrations." Mr Simms said he was worried the impact of the homophobia rhetoric on the LGBTQIA+ community, adding that the AFL should review their inclusion strategies. "I thought this medical submissions is a fairly curious element here. Homophobia isn't a medical condition, but homophobia does cause adverse health outcomes. "It destroys people's lives and I think that the AFL are forgetting to take that into consideration here." Rankine is the sixth AFL-listed player to be banned for using homophobic language in the past 16 months. Crows CEO Tim Silvers told ABC Radio Adelaide the AFL has mandatory annual training, but he will consider if the club has done enough to address homophobia. "We need to review it because I'm sitting here speaking to you on the radio about a homophobic slur," he said. "Some people would say the AFL have invested a lot of time into it and there's been new modules this year and there's annual training etc. but I'm not sure it's enough. "We're looking into some Pride in Sport education and training as we speak and that's also going be part of the sanction for Izak. Silvers said the club has also spoken with the players more broadly about treating their opponents respectfully and creating an inclusive environment. He said he was disappointed how the issue played out publicly, but accepted Rankine did the wrong thing. "There's information, some of it right, some of it wrong and it just seemed to spin out of control," he said. "We were in the position that we couldn't really comment because we didn't think it was the right thing because we were going through what we thought was a private and confidential process." When asked about whether the Crows should have accepted the AFL's provisional determination earlier this week, Silvers said the club followed "due process" and would not appeal the four-game ban. Silvers said Rankine has been "doing it tough" but the decision landing has been "a good thing for him". "He'll go through a bit of a reset and I'm not sure he'll come back into the club for the next little while, but he might just have some downtime potentially out of Adelaide for awhile," he said.
7NEWS
36 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
AFL leaders savaged over Izak Rankine's punishment for homophobic slur
The AFL has been torn to shreds over the baffling punishment it has handed to Adelaide star Izak Rankine. On Thursday, Rankine was banned for four matches for his use of a homophobic slur during the game against Collingwood ... but there was an immediate outcry from fans and experts who are failing to understand why the suspension was not for five matches. The AFL has been strong on its stance on racism and homophobia in recent years but that is suddenly now in question. Channel 7 commentator and former AFLW star Kate McCarthy accused the leaders at AFL House of going soft. 'Zero tolerance? I don't really think we've seen zero tolerance play out this week.' McCarthy said on Triple M after Thursday's verdict. In 2024 Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three games for a homophobic slur, and the AFL warned that the bans would increase. And they did. Not long after the Finlayson suspension, Gold Coast's Wil Powell copped a five-match ban. This year, Sydney's Riak Andrew also copped a five-game ban for a homophobic slur in the VFL, and St Kilda's Lance Collard was a handed a six-game ban (also for comments at VFL level). There was, however, an exception to the five-match precedent in July this year when West Coast's Jack Graham received a four-match suspension. That lighter punishment was explained by the fact that Graham had self-reported to the AFL (Graham also rang the AFL chief executive directly to apologise). But there was no such self-reporting in Rankine's case. In fact, it later emerged that Collingwood players felt compelled to escalate Rankine's homophobic slur internally because they believed he was a repeat offender. 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed during the week that multiple Magpies players were of the belief that Rankine delivered a similar slur towards an opponent in a previous match against Collingwood. Loaded with that new information — and with the league strong in its view that racism and homophobia are no-go zones — one might have expected that Rankine's punishment could have even exceeded the five-game ban handed to Powell or Andrew. But no ... somehow, the AFL decided to give Rankine a lighter ban, citing what it called 'compelling medical submissions'. Respected SEN commentator Gerard Whateley was brutal in his assessment, and called it a 'disappointing' and 'confected' outcome. 'The four-week suspension of Izak Rankine is such a disappointing moment from a disappointing administration,' Gerard Whateley. 'It is the AFL's stand to rid the game of homophobic language… a campaign they began last season. From what we understand, it is specifically Andrew Dillon's stand. 'And at the moment of greatest challenge he couldn't see it through. 'The penalty for the use of a homophobic slur without self-reporting is five weeks. 'This (is a) confected outcome hid behind 'compelling medical submissions' (and) all involved know they can avoid accountability by using such an oblique phrase. 'What they miss is the cynicism this strategy prompts across the football landscape.' He said mental health 'might be the most serious issue the sport faces' but it should not be a factor when disciplining a player over homophobia and racism. 'Dillon should have said the penalty is five weeks now let's hear your submissions. 'Dillon should have followed up with the penalty is five weeks now let's hear your appeal. 'And finally Dillon should have said the penalty is five weeks now let's go and front the press conference. 'That should have happened regardless which club and which player it was. 'This was the moment a struggling administration needed to hold firm in what it believes in and show unwavering commitment and leadership.' Collingwood great Tony Shaw said the decision was 'laughable'. 'The compelling medical advice taken into account on Rankine plea? Izak is feeling sad that he stuffed up badly letting himself, teammates and club down. Well blow me down, that deserves one week less? AFL incompetent, amateurish, laughable,' Shaw said on social media. Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall said he was totally confused by the outcome. 'I don't know how compelling medical evidence gets you from five weeks down to four, and if we're talking about mental health, by what metric, measurement scale are we saying that equates to one week,' Dunstall said on Fox Footy. 'I don't understand, I'm confused. Can someone explain it to me?' Also, somewhat strangely, an incident last year when Dan Houston (when he was at Port Adelaide) knocked out Rankine came into play. 'The problem is we don't get it properly explained to us. So there are triggers because you got knocked out last time?' Dunstall said. 'That's a trigger ... and I'm not having a go at Izak Rankine, I'm having a go at this case and the way it's gone from five weeks to four weeks based on supposed compelling medical evidence. 'And we're hearing there are triggers that prompted a response, I just don't get it, and I can't comprehend how the fact that he got knocked out last time they played has anything to do with it. 'I've got great respect for Andrew Dillon. He's a smart man as are the other people around him, but we're not getting all the information. We're just expected to take this as blind faith and say they've made the right decision. 'We can't do that because it doesn't make sense without all the relevant facts to understand why they've decided to give a week off (the ban) to give him hope, perhaps, of playing in the grand final.' Sports journalist Andrew Wu also condemned the Crows for their handling of the matter. 'Adelaide's handling of Izak Rankine's homophobic slur is in stark contrast to their condemnation of Taylor Walker's 2021 racial slur when he was banned for six games,' he said. 'Crows not a contender then. They are now. Hard not to think they've been blinded by the shine of a premiership cup.' The AFL was always going to cop it from fans, no matter how long the punishment, with many thinking the sanctions for such indiscretions are too harsh. But at least with a five-match suspension the league would have shown strength and commitment to an admirable cause. The fact they allowed a club to haggle them down has left them exposed, and accusations of weakness are flying. It also means now a mental health card can be played the next time a player crosses the line with an offensive slur, and the club and player could expect a reduced punishment. One fan said on social media succinctly laid out how the Rankine conversation should have unfolded. AFL: Hey Izak did you direct a homophobic slur towards an opponent? Izak: Yeah AFL: We're suspending you for five weeks. 'Case closed by lunchtime last Sunday. You run the league. You set the rules, AFL,' they said. 'No punishment should be up for discussion or negotiation. 'This was a chance to show proper leadership. You failed catastrophically.' Adelaide have ruled out appealing Rankine's four-game ban and CEO Tim Silvers has said that the player is taking time away from the club. 'He is certainly doing it tough. He's embarrassed, he's remorseful, he's regretful, he hasn't actually been back to the club since it happened,' Silvers said. 'I think he's going to go through a little bit of a reset and maybe take off for a couple days, we will hope to get him back in the next week or so.' Rankine can still play this year if the Crows lose a home qualifying final en route to the grand final. 'It's nice that there's a carrot for him and that it means his season, potentially, is not over ... that is good for his mental health,' Silvers said on Thursday.
ABC News
36 minutes ago
- ABC News
Spying Fremantle assistant Sam Naismith kicked out of Western Bulldogs training session
Former AFL cult hero Sam Naismith has been kicked out of Whitten Oval after the 206-centimetres Fremantle ruck coach and a companion were caught spying at Western Bulldogs training. The Bulldogs and Fremantle face off at Docklands Stadium on Sunday, and with a finals spot on the line, Naismith's presence provided for some amusing scenes. About 30 minutes into Friday's training session at Whitten Oval, Bulldogs' coaching staff became aware of Dockers ruck and development coach Naismith sitting in the fourth row of the stands. The Bulldogs' media team was made aware of the former Richmond and Sydney ruckman's presence, while the coaching staff moved to remove him from the ground. Western Bulldogs assistant coach Daniel Pratt left the oval and walked up the stairs to give Naismith his marching orders. Shortly after, Naismith, coffee in hand, departed along with his companion. Naismith was wearing all black, including a black cap, and was holding a coffee, but made no other effort to disguise himself. The long-haired former ruckman, who retired last year after an interrupted career ravaged by ACL injuries, is a surprising and unconventional spy of choice, given his large, recognisable frame. It is not the first time spying has happened in the AFL. Fremantle previously were caught out for spying on a Port Adelaide training session back in 2015. Perhaps the best-known example of "Spygate" in sport was when former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa was caught spying on rivals Derby County in 2019. Bielsa later admitted he had spied on all of Leeds' opponents, famously detailing his tactics in an hour-long PowerPoint presentation to journalists. This week, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir insisted the pressure was on the Bulldogs. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, who spoke before the amusing spy drama, was not buying into it. "I'm not that interested in the tit-for-tat on that," he said. "The equation's simple. "Both clubs are in the same situation: you win or you're out." AAP
